Borneo Hornbills Stun Pelita Jaya Esia Jakarta in Indonesia Basketball League Thriller

In a gripping Indonesia Basketball League encounter on June 28, 2026, the Borneo Hornbills secured a hard-fought 64-61 victory over Pelita Jaya Esia Jakarta on the road. The match, played at the GOR Soemantri Brodjonegoro in Jakarta, was a defensive battle that came down to the final possession, with the Hornbills showing composure in the closing moments to claim their second win of the season.

Match Overview

Pelita Jaya entered the game as slight favorites given their home-court advantage and higher standing in the early-season table. However, the Hornbills came out with intense defensive pressure, forcing Pelita Jaya into a slow offensive start. The first half ended with Borneo leading 33-30. The third quarter saw Pelita Jaya claw back, taking a 49-47 lead into the final period. But Borneo's balanced scoring and clutch free-throw shooting in the last two minutes sealed the upset.

Key Moments

• Final Minute Drama: With 15 seconds remaining, Borneo guard Ahmad Fauzi hit two free throws to give his team a 63-61 lead. Pelita Jaya's last-second three-point attempt by import player Kevin Thomson rimmed out.
• Third-Quarter Swing: Pelita Jaya's center Raka Putra scored 8 points in the third quarter, including two dunks, to ignite a 19-13 run that briefly put them ahead.
• Defensive Stop: Borneo's key play came with 45 seconds left when forward Dika Pratama blocked a layup attempt by Pelita Jaya's point guard, preserving the one-point lead.

Player Highlights

• Borneo Hornbills: Fauzi finished with 18 points (5-of-8 from the field, 8-of-9 from the line) and 4 assists. Forward Yusuf Bachtiar had a double-double with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
• Pelita Jaya Esia Jakarta: Thomson led all scorers with 20 points and 7 rebounds, but struggled from deep (1-of-5 on threes). Putra contributed 15 points and 9 rebounds in a losing effort.

Season Impact

The loss drops Pelita Jaya to a 3-2 record, while Borneo improves to 2-3. For the Hornbills, this win could be a turning point after a slow start, especially given the team's new-look roster. Pelita Jaya will look to regroup before facing the league-leading Satria Muda next week. Borneo's next challenge is a home game against the Bima Perkasa Jogja.